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THE alarms which existed among the mercantile and trading part of the community are rapidly subsiding. Confidence is gradually restoring, and things getting once more into their former channels; the public mind will now have leisure to gather useful experience, by studying the causes which led to the late unexampled panic. If blame can any where attach to Government, it can only be for its omitting to put a stop to the small note issues by country bankers. It seems unreasonable, that while ministers were endeavouring to restore a sound and healthy cash circulation, they should leave it in the power of individuals, many with and some almost destitute of real property, issue notes of twenty shillings value, and thus engross the circulation of whole districts. If gold were scarce, it would be better that the Bank should supply the deficiency by small note issues, which could be diminished as gold came into the market, and thus that part of the community which can least afford to suffer-in fact, that part of it most likely to raise a commotion or spread a panic upon any untoward event happeningwould be secured from suffering. When the subject was on the carpet some time ago, the country bankers put every wheel in motion to prevent this salutary measure being effected; and among the foremost were the Plymouth bankers, who may be said almost to have led the way in the list of failures. The sound views of Mr. Huskisson and the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, it is to be hoped, prevent their allowing any eager speculatists or interested persons from turning them aside out of the sound line of policy, which it is a libel on their judgments to suppose they do not feel to be best for the national interests.

The speculators in the silk and glove trade have been petitioning ministers against the removal of the restrictions on foreign trade, and have very properly been told that no change of essential moment can be made in the measures designed to be adopted. The fact is, that on the strength of the expected increase of the Silk Trade, in consequence of the duties being withdrawn from the raw material, individuals embarked a large capital, instantly, and made preparations for Feb.-VOL. XVIII. NO. LX11.

manufacturing quantities of silk goods. For these there is an inadequate demand -not from foreign silks taking the place of British manufactures, but because too much has been manufactured, and, instead of proceeding gradually with their trade, (having command of money) and waiting for an increase of demand proportioned to the excellence of the goods and their superiority over those of foreign manufacture, our manufacturers built factories, and set thousands of fresh hands at work to make a superabundant stock of all sorts of silk articles, for which a ready sale cannot reasonably be expected. They then petition Ministers, as if the introduction of foreign goods was not a part of the original measure. The fault is wholly their own, arising from their being too eager to take advantage of a part of the arrangements favourable only to themselves. If they would succeed, they must outdo the foreigner in quality as well as quantity, improve the article, and extend their works, by reasonable degrees, as they rise in the scale of excellence and cheapness of manufacture.

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The stagnation in business owing to the late panic, necessarily caused a falling off in the revenue, part of which will, it is probable, be made up again. The expectations of Mr. Robinson have, however, been realized, when every circumstance is considered, even under this disadvantage, especially if the taxes repealed be taken into calculation. It may fairly be said that the revenue is not so great as it has been in other quarters, owing to the late panic, but that there is no falling off on the gross. The following is the official statement made up to the 5th ult. for the years and quarters, showing the increase or decrease on each head.

Miscellan.

1,444.000 1,517,000 4922.070 4,990,138 340,571 350,573

Decr.

5,588,669

73,000

68.068

that the national resources are not only flourishing, but still increasing under a most serious calamity. The statement of the Irish Revenue for the year officially published, demonstrates that, notwithstanding the large repeals and reductions of duties by different acts of the last Session, it has, for the year 1825, virtually exceeded that for 1824, embracing the most important branches of the Public Revenue. The Customs and Excise combined - have increased 84,378l.; the

and the Miscellaneous articles give an increase of above 40,0001.

Deduct Increase.....

Decrease on the Quarter..

919,117

1,189,966

The deficiency in the year on the gross amount of revenue is 238,940l. But nearly 2,000,000 of duties have been remitted during the last year, and yet on comparison of the revenue for the years 1825 and 1826, one is 48,812,7591. and the last ending January 5th, 48,573,8191. The amount of the deficiency for the last quarter is 1,189,9661. the produce of the quarter just ended being 12,381,0891. and that of the corresponding quarter of last year 13,571,0551. The results of the three first quarters of the year have all exceeded the produce of the corresponding quarters in 1824. The produce of Stamps, Taxes, and Post-Office in Great Britain alone is 13,504,3711. whereas the estimate for the whole United Kingdom was only 13,475,000l.; so that the whole of the Irish revenue, under these three heads, is a surplus beyond the estimate, not to mention 29,3711. surplus in Great Britain. In accounting for the decrease in the last quarter, as compared with the corresponding one of 1824, it should be observed, that the duties upon certain articles were in full operation in the quarter of 1824, which, by various acts of last Session, were either repealed or reduced; such as wine, coffee, cocoa, hemp, tobacco, &c. The recent disturbances of the ordinary course of the money market, had their effect upon the revenue, in creating a postponement in the receipts of the duties, and by occasioning, in many cases, an absolute inability to effect payments that were due, for articles made or consumed, and in others, a like inability or disinclination on the part of merchants to enter goods for home consumption from the warehouses. From this, however, future quarters may expect an increase as affairs are wound up. On the whole, in common fairness to the new measures of finance, considering the shock credit has received, it may be asserted that they have stood the test beyond what the old blundering system would have done, and

The Orange faction in the country parts of Ireland is still alive, though in Dublin, many of the persons attached in some degree to the party, have shown a moderation lately highly creditable to themselves, and auguring well for the future. Mr. Dawson, M.P. at an Orange dinner at Londonderry, lately made a furious oration against the Catholics and their leaders, particularly against Mr. Shiel, whose "tropes," be they what they may, or be his cause what it may, (both equally subjects of Orange sneers) are so far beyond what Mr. Dawson's oratorical displays amount to, that he has surprised the world less by his asperity than by his lack of judgment, in fastening upon points in which he is himself so infinitely inferior to other men. It is lamentable that while the Catholics and their leaders are charged with going into excesses and pushing matters to extremes, those like Mr. Dawson, who in self-opinion concentrate the political and religious wisdom of the empire, should not set a better example in both. Mr. Shiel has retaliated upon his antagonist, and it must be confessed has repaid him with interest. A report has been current that the Marquis Wellesley will retire from the Viceroyship, and be succeeded by a nobleman of whom nothing but the name has ever been heard the Earl of Bristol. For the sake of Ireland and of the empire, it is to be hoped this is mere rumour. The Catholics have opened their new meetings, the duration of which is limited to a fortnight. They talk of making a census of themselves: it will be useful, for the important points of population as to faith will otherwise never be ascertained. It will ultimately set at rest the question of the proportions the Catholics bear to the Protestants, and what part of the latter are episcopalians. The corrupt corporation of Dublin alone seem ready to go all lengths with Mr. Dawson. They held their first assembly, since the election of the new commons, last month. The first act of this sagacious body was to appoint

a committee to petition Parliament against the Catholics of Ireland. A Mr. Semple, in a silly simple speech, but sufficiently abusive, moved an amendment to the resolution :- "That the Committee do report to a Post Assembly to be called by the Lord Mayor some time after the 2d of February, as the rabble Parliament will by that time have closed its sittings, and it will be necessary to introduce their honours to the notice of the British Parliament, by a petition, praying for the suppression of so dangerous a nuisance." The petition to be presented to the Commons, by the City representatives, and to the Lords, by the Duke of Wellington. And this these immaculate corporators carried with only two dissentient voices!

50

Parliament was prorogued on the 5th of January until to-morrow, the 2d inst.

The son of the satellite of the Holy Alliance, Prince Metternich, has arrived in London. His visit is supposed to be of great importance, perhaps connected with Russian affairs. In his favourite policy of staying the progress of knowledge, the elder Metternich has lately experienced a defeat, having caused the Almanach of Gotha to be prosecuted for its "tendency," and the court having acquitted the Editor. He also wanted to make Hungary give up its constitution and acknowledge the "absolute emperor;" and in this the industrious instrument in enslaving mankind-the sworn foe to sense, reason, and the best human interests, has been foiled.

AT length it is stated upon authority, which may be fully relied upon, that the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope is to come home. In common with those whom this arbitrary man has been enabled to exhibit himself to, tricked in the brief authority of office, we feel pleasure at his removal. General Bourke is on his way out as Lieut.-Governor. Some different mode of governing our powerful colonies should be adopted, than leaving them to the mercies of a Martinet. Lord C. Somerset is to bring with him Mr. Brinke, who was Deputy Colonial Secretary under Colonel Bird; and on his evidence, as letters state, Lord Charles mainly depends for assistance in the investigation which awaits him, but particularly as regards the testimony which is expected from Colonel Bird himself.

It is not long since a large sum of money was voted by some of the West-India colonies to those publications which support the system of slavery in this country, or what they denominate their interests. It was rumoured, that a northern periodical, conspicuous in the defence of every ultra system of things, received part of this money, and a Sunday newspaper, in London, another part. The Editor of the Glasgow Courier has recently been voted £3000 of the public money of Jamaica, as a reward; and the other islands are recommended to follow their example. What effects upon the public mind here these publications can produce on the side of the inhuman system they advocate, worth as many pence to the

men who thus bribe them, it would be very difficult to discover.

Affairs in the Burman territory continue in much the same state as in the last accounts. Sir A. Campbell's headquarters were still at Prome. The mortality there was great; but at Arracan, of the division of General Morrison, five thousand were sick. A letter from Arracan, dated August 6th, says, "We took the field with eight thousand men, under General Morrison. The number sick, this day, amounts to six thousand six hundred, in hospital. A few days since, a batch of thirty-four officers proceeded hence to Calcutta. Such is the state of destitution of some of our force, that the 26th regiment is at present under the command of a young lieutenant of the name of Robe. Two corps are entirely annihilated. They were posted in what we call the Valley of Death. We are cantoned upon the tops of the hills, in bungalows, which we built ourselves, the rainy season having set in. We were surprised that the Burmans did not attack us, until we had information that they were waiting till we got worse; then they will scalp and rip us up. We are told that we are to have an augmentation of twelve regiments-we need it."

A despatch from General Morrison, detailing the operations against the island of Ramree and Sandowey, on the 23d of April and 5th of May, by General M'Bean, were published in the London Gazette, of the 14th ult.

THE capital of France enjoys profound peace, and this is the case with the whole empire. The rebuff of the Jesuits, by the

acquittal of the Courier Francais and Constitutionel, charged with inserting sentiments having a "tendency to overthrow the religion of the state," has offended the King, who, with the Duchess d'Angouleme, are attached to the fanatical party. When the judges waited on the King with the compliments of the new year, and the president had finished the address, in which he offered to the throne the homage of the body in whose name he spoke, Charles X. scarcely deigning to regard them, answered, "I receive your homage;" and while the judges were waiting for the conclusion of the sentence, he added, pointing to the door, "Gentlemen, pass on." The Duchess d'Angouleme received them with similar marks of spleen and disappoint

ment.

Some rumours have been abroad, that Ferdinand of Spain will shortly acknowlege the independence of the SouthAmerican colonies. This news is too good to be true; at least it can scarcely be thought likely, after the solemn denunciations of Ferdinand against them. It is true the Bourbons of Spain, as well as Naples, may have few scruples aboutbreaking an oath. It appears that Ferdinand has been forming another council of state, which is to do wonders: it is but four months since he established a consultative junta which did nothing. A violent storm has taken place at Gibraltar, and strewed the Bay with wrecks.

Events have occurred at Petersburgh quite in character with the government of a despotic country. It appears that Paul passed a law, by which the succession was to be hereditary. Alexander, however, willed that the crown should not be placed upon the head of Constantine, but of Nicholas, the second in right; and he had prevailed upon Constantine, to sign an instrument of renunciation, in furtherance of his views. On the death of Alexander being known, a part of the troops and people proceeded to take the oaths to Constantine, the legal successor. Among those who were the foremost to do this, were the soldiers of the regiment of which this prince was Colonel. In the mean time the Archduke Nicholas was not idle. He produced a document purporting to be signed by Constantine, renouncing the throne, and claiming the crown as the next in succession. The regiment of Constantine refused to take the oath to Nicholas, having just taken it to Constantine, and perhaps suspecting foul play to their Colonel. The number of soldiers who acted thus is said to have been between two and three thousand. The new Emperor Nicholas parleyed with the refractory troops in vain, on which they were attacked by artillery and infantry, who had taken the oaths to Nicholas, and dispersed after two hundred had been killed. The actors in this affair had palli

ating grounds for their conduct They had a natural and personal attachment to Constantine, as the Commander of their regiment; they felt their corps peculiarly honoured by his elevation to the throne; they had sworn allegiance to him with the utmost warmth of sincerity; they had been called upon by the authorities to perform this solemn act to the next in legal succession; and it must have appeared to them very extraordinary that an oath of such different import should so soon be tendered to them. Constantine having married a Polish lady, is the excuse made for his having been prevailed on to renounce the crown. This is perfectly ridiculous. He could, as sovereign by succession, make her his queen if he pleased-the mistress of a common soldier had been Empress of Russia not a long while ago. It is probable that Alexander and the Nobles, fearing mischief from the ferocious disposition of Constantine, originally prevailed upon him to renounce the crown for some very different consideration. The real circumstances of the whole affair will not be known perhaps for some years. Nicholas I. by the grace of God somehow or another, now Emperor of Russia, has issued a proclamation, dated December 31st, in which several officers, on the side of Nicholas, are mentioned as killed. Proceedings are to take place against those concerned in resistance. A conspiracy is spoken of against the crown. The rebels are to be punished, and the blame is flung on those who persuaded the soldiers to adhere to their past oaths. The whole is pronounced a germ of a foreign soil, which must be purged out of the holy empire-as revolutionary, and what not. But we never heard of an absolute despotism without conspiracies; and when are they to be expected more than when the laws of a country form no exception to the will of the despot, and the observing them contrary to that will, is rebellion? There is yet a secret to be told respecting this matter. The affairs of Greece, if we may believe the later accounts, look more favourable. Reports have been in circulation, that the Porte is about to treat with them.

Letters from Batavia state, that a battle was fought at Deenackie, near Samarang, on the 2d September, between ten thousand native troops and the European forces; the latter is estimated at only three hundred, of which sixty were English, chiefly sailors. The Dutch troops were totally defeated, and the natives advancing on Samarang. The Europeans were putting all their property on board the ships at Samarang and Samabuya-30,000 packets of coffee burnt, and the enemy destroying all the coffee trees and sugar-canes.

Literary and Miscellaneous Memoirs. By J. Cradock, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. 8vo. That a new work from the pen of a gentleman who was the friend and correspondent of Johnson, Goldsmith, and Garrick, who used to sup with Lord Thurlow at Nando's, and to dine with the Literary Club, who has laughed at the jokes of Foote, and listened to the sermons of Hurdthat such a work should fall under our notice in this latter age of the world, is rather out of the common course of things. Since the departure of Dr. Parr, Mr. Cradock is (with the exception of the venerable and learned Lord Stowell) almost alone in his recollections of the great men of the last age. He was born in the year 1741, and was introduced at a very early period of his life into the society of many of the most distinguished persons of his day, with anecdotes of whom the memoirs before us abound. In addition to the names mentioned above, we meet with those of Dr. Percy, Gray the poet (at the rehearsal of whose Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Grafton, Mr. C. was present), Mason, Lord Chat. ham, Lord Sandwich, Admiral Walsingham, and also of several celebrated lawyers, Lord Mansfield, Sir Eardley Wilmot, Mr. Justice Aston, Mr. Baron Hotham, and others. Some of these anecdotes are, however, of little importance when divested of the interest which the eminent naines connected with them confers; others, again, are highly curious and well worthy of preservation. Mr. Cradock has little of the egotist about him, and his narrative might be termed rather Memoirs of his friends than of himself. The style of it is easy and pleasant.

Some of the best anecdotes relate to Lord Thurlow, of whose politeness Mr. Cradock gives the following specimen.

"On his return he made a visit to some of those splendid mansions with which the County of York so greatly abounds, and a friend of mine had the honour to meet him at one of them, then full of very high company. Whilst walking in the garden and they were all admiring the elegancies that surrounded them, the noble proprietor being near the hot-house, turned to the Lord Chancellor, and politely asked him whether he would not walk in and partake of some grapes? 'Grapes l' says Thurlow, 'did not I just now tell you I had got the gripes The strangers in the company were all petrified with astonishment; but his lordship might have truly informed them that his replies were at least as polite and refined as those of a predecessor, the venerable Lord Northington."

During the Wilkes riots, Mr. Cradock was forced by the pressure of the mob into the body of the House of Lords, and by the kindness of Lord Carlisle procured a seat between his lordship and another nobleman. That nobleman was Lord Chatham.

"He arose and spoke; but I by no means recognized the complete orator I had formerly so greatly admired, and indeed was never much more disappointed; he spoke only for a short time, and was confused, and seemed greatly disconcerted, and then suddenly turning to me asked, whether I had ever heard him speak before

NOTICES.

Not in this House, my Lord, was my direct reply. In no house, Sir, I hope, have I ever before disgraced myself; I feel quite ill, and have been alarmed and annoyed this morning before I arrived; I scarce know what I have been talking about.' I could only bow and look civil; for, to say the truth, I could not sincerely declare that I was of an opposite opinion. I still wished to get away; but as the debates grew more interesting, I became more reconciled to my intrusive situation, and I was confidently assured that no notice would then be taken.

"One nobleman was uncommonly keen and sarcastic, and directed some invective with great warmth personally against Lord Chatham, when, feeling himself stung to the quick, he suddenly arose, and poured forth a torrent of eloquence that utterly astonished: the change was inconceivable; the fire had kindled, and we were all electrified with his energy and excellence. At length he seemed quite exhausted, and, as he sat down, with great frankness shook me by the hand, and seeined personally to recollect me, and then I ventured to say, I hope, now, your lordship is fully satisfied?"-'Yes, Sir,' replied he with a smile, 'I think I have now redeemed my credit."

Memoirs and Poetical Remains of the late Jane Taylor, with extracts from her Correspondence. By Isaac Taylor. In 2 vols. 12mo.

Every person who is acquainted with Miss Taylor's pleasing and instructive writings, must be anxious to peruse the memoirs of her life. The character which it developes is well worthy of study, and quite accordant with those conceptions of it, which her publications convey. Without the high genius which distinguished Elizabeth Smith, she yet possessed very excellent talents, in the judicious and useful application of which she was unwearied. In this view her memoirs are most particularly deserving of remark, since they prove how much may be accomplished by a spirit of exertion, and by a persevering sense of duty. While engaged in her various literary pursuits, Miss Taylor had the good sense to render them altogether subservient to her domestic avocations, and afforded another instance to the many which might be mentioned, that a literary reputation is not inconsistent with the delicacy and reserve of the female character. That the religious opinions of Miss Taylor were peculiar, they who are familiar with her writings are aware; and on this subject the memoir is open to much observation. Upon the whole, the effect of those opinions on Miss Taylor's mind does not appear to have been such, as to induce a feeling in their favour. Distressing doubts as to her happiness in a future state seem to have disturbed her imagination, and only to have yielded to a sudden conviction as unfounded as the apprehensions which had preceded it. But, whatever may be the opinions entertained with regard to her religious speculations, no one can hesitate to express the most unfeigned admiration of the practical piety, the unaffected simplicity, and the warm benevolence, which distinguished the character of Jane Taylor.